THE PIGEON BOOK 25 



empty a few soaked peas should be given by hand. It 

 is also as well to dip their heads frequently in the water- 

 pots in order that they may learn how to drink. A few 

 lessons and they can very soon look after themselves if 

 they should not have learned to do so before separation 

 from their parents. 



Having traced the growth of the pigeon from the time 

 of the laying of the egg until it is able to fend for itself, 

 perhaps it will be as well to deal with the question of its 

 food supply. 



Many fanciers are probably situated like myself — in 

 the summer early-risers, but away from home during the 

 greater part of the day. In these circumstances it will 

 be found far more economical and much wiser to use 

 hoppers with food constantly before the birds. 



But here let me say how very essential it is that the 

 grains used should be of the finest possible quality. 



Cheap grain is usually nasty. 



Beans, tares, and peas make the finest food for the 

 hardy and strong varieties. 



During the breeding-season a little wheat, small maize, 

 and dari may be added. 



I also make a practice of giving my birds, during the 

 early part of the breeding-season, some bread-crumbs, of 

 which they are very fond. 



I do not like to make too free a use of hempseed early 

 in the year, as it has a tendency to overheat the system, 

 and make the birds too amorous and neglectful of their 

 young. 



In the case of the short-faced varieties good tares and 

 good wheat with a little dari are the best grains to use. 



These must be stood in pots such as I have described, 

 because the beaks of the shortfaoes are really so short 



